Pete Korpela is a Los Angeles based percussionist, recognized internationally for his versatility in orchestral, latin, jazz, world, rock, and pop music. He has collaborated with such renowned talent as, among others: Danny Elfman; Alan Silvestri; John Powell; Harry Gregson-Williams; Josh Groban; Robbie Williams; Jeff Russo; Henry Jackman; Marco Beltrami; Michael McDonald; Carter Burwell; Disturbed; Alan Parsons; Calle 13; Rickie Lee Jones; Al DiMeola; Kelly Clarkson; Madeleine Peyroux; Lizz Wright; Ed Shearmur; Kandace Springs; Ana Moura; Joe Trapanese; Rob Simonsen; Ben Gibbard; Melody Gardot; Los Angeles Philharmonic; Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra; Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; Seth MacFarlane; Joel McNeeley; Ron Jones and Don Randi.

Among the drummers and percussionists Pete has had the pleasure of playing and recording with are: Vinnie Colaiuta; J.R. Robinson; Alex Acuna; Aaron Sterling; Peter Erskine; Steve Jordan; Emil Richards; Hal Blaine; Luis Conte; Lenny Castro; Bob Zimmitti; Dan Greco; Don Williams; Brian Kilgore; Wade Culbreath; Shawn Pelton; Brian Frasier Moore; Gary Novak; Ndugu Chancler; Chad Smith; Curt Bisquera; Mark Schulman; Kenny Aronoff; Jim Keltner; Russ Miller; Tom Brechtlein; and Virgil Donati.

Pete has appeared at Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, Hollywood Bowl, Red Rocks Ampitheatre, Syndey Opera House and O2 Arena (London). In 2011  he joined Josh Groban s Straight to You world tour and is currently Mr. Groban s percussionist. In 2012, he toured extensively with jazz vocalist Melody Gardot. Between 2003 and 2007, Pete toured throughout the United States with the first National Tour of Tony-Award-winning Walt Disney s The Lion King, as a marimbist and featured on-stage percussionist. He has also performed with major Broadway shows Hamilton, Motown and Beautiful.

An active Los Angeles-based studio musician, Pete has been working with composer Jeff Russo on the new Star Trek: Discovery series, which features a wide array of exotic percussion instruments from Pete's ever-growing collection. His work can also be heard on Ready Player One; Ralph Breaks the Internet; The Predator; Christopher Robin; Equalizer 2; Straight Outta Compton; Going in Style; Assassin s Creed 2; Assassin s Creed: Brotherhood and Assassin s Creed: Revelations soundtracks. He has featured on popular TV shows, including: The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno; Conan O Brien; Jimmy Kimmel; Ellen; Good Morning America; Live with Kelly; Later with Jools Holland; Dancing with the Stars; America s Got Talent; and PBS Presents: Jackie Evancho. And in 2010, Pete performed with Cirque du Soleil as musical director and lead drummer in a nationally televised project.  

Born and raised in Finland, Pete studied orchestral and hand percussion extensively at the Sibelius-Academy in Helsinki, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in World Music/Percussion, and at Los Angeles Music Academy. He has studied studio and orchestral percussion under Don Williams, Emil Richards, Joe Porcaro and Michael Fisher, and world percussion with, among others: Lenny Castro, Luis Conte, Kevin Ricard, Michito Sanchez, Glen Velez, Jerry Steinholtz and John Bergamo. As an instrument-maker and innovator, his collaboration with Pearl Percussion led to an original new design called The Jingle Cajon which won DRUM Magazine s Drummie award in 2010. He also designed the critically acclaimed Shaker Pandeiro for Cooperman Co.